The Chinchilla was created by a French engineer M.J. Dybowski showing for the first time in April 1913 at Saint-Maur, France. Of course, this beauty took the rabbit world by storm as the ideal fur rabbit. The chinchilla coats amongst the wealthy made for an overnight success.

Originally, these Chinchilla’s were rather small at 5 to 7 ½ lbs. before coming to America. Here they looked to this breed not only for fur but also meat. In 1919, Standard Chinchillas were brought to New York’s State Fair. Several breeders began to work at producing larger met rabbits with the same beautiful coats. By 1924, they were accepted and the heavier weight Chinchilla and was renamed the American Chinchilla by the American Rabbit & Cavy Breeders Association.

Between November 1928 and November 1929, there were 17,328 registered – a record yet to be broken today. So how does the rarest of the Chinchilla breeds loose its popularity so quickly despite the meat producing qualities?

Since the early 1900's, fur markets have been strongly influenced by changing fashion trends, and by economic and social forces. An innovation in the early 1900s which led to the demand for long fur coats was the development of the motor car. The early cars were open, and motoring in cool weather required warm and protective clothing. By the 1930's wealthy women and the glamorous film stars were usually seen wearing mega white or grey fox coats. The most expensive furs on the market were sable, ermine, mink and fox. Oddly enough the lowest priced furs included rabbit, nutria, skunk, and squirrel.

Fur sales plummeted during the years of the Economic Depression lasting into the early 1940s. Many people no longer had the disposable income to purchase furs many losing their money in the stock market. The fur markets continued their downward spiral in the early 1940s due to World War II. The fur industry was bogged down with WWII regulations and the fur industry suffered a shortage of equipment and materials which went to support the war effort. Many families experienced loss of income when the heads of households went overseas.

During these times, many households had rabbits because of meat rations. Even the most poor could afford rabbit and could feed rabbits with their table scraps. However after the war, meat became available again in the grocery stores, and the backyard rabbit population lost popularity.

By 1947 fur coats were being made for the “suburban housewives” with a modest purse would have purchased at that time. The fur coats listed included the lesser priced furs rabbit dyed to look like muskrat for $139. With the renewed economic prosperity in the 1950’s, fur garments regained their popularity lasting only a decade. Changing fashion trends, introduction of fake fur, consumer disinterest in furs all contributed to the decline, particularly luxury furs.

1960’s brought animal right activists campaigning to sensitize the public regarding the plight of animals and the cruelties they suffer at fur farms. In the 1970s, fur coats lost their appeal. As a result, the fur industry suffered financial losses – many facing bankruptcy. Many animals were facing extinction.

Fur is Back Big Time. The fur industry is booming. Global fur sales rose by 70% from 2000 to 2010. Annual sales for fur pelts reached $15-16 billion according, according to the fur industry’s trade association. An industry spokesperson attributed the rise primarily to two factors: designers who have incorporated small amounts of fur into wider array of garments, making fur an option in warmer climates, and “a younger generation whose passion is not animal rights.” Fur began to creep back into fashion magazines pages. 1990s grunge and minimalism gave way to 2000s bling and ostentation.

This reversal is not merely the result of a cultural trend meeting its inevitable backlash. It’s also a story of economics, and of the fur industry’s quiet battle to rebrand its product as sustainable, natural, and luxurious.

Today, the American Chinchilla’s incredible assets as a meat productions breed, their temperament, ease of care, and gorgeous color, have come back from the brink of extinction and are now known as a Heritage breed a true National treasure. Heritage breed are the breeds of a bygone era who were carefully selected and bred over time to develop traits that made them well-adapted and thrive. Those of us who have chosen to champion their cause continue to breed, so the bloodlines have a chance to flourish.Look to this breed to help protect from extinction or a factory workspace whether it is a 4H project or a pet to love.